Backpack clamp

ABSTRACT

A backpack and clamp are provided. The backpack includes a pair of shoulder straps, a rear surface and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The clamp is secured to the backpack. The clamp includes a base secured to the front surface of the backpack. The base includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The clamp further includes a cover. The cover includes an inner edge having a pivotal connection with the first side of the base. The cover further includes an outer edge having a latch that releasably connects to the second side of the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to backpacks and, more particularly, to a backpack clamp that secures ends of shoulder straps within.

A backpack is a generally a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders. Excess backpack straps hang down from a backpack, which may get caught in doors. As can be seen, there is a need for a clamps that secure backpack straps within.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a backpack comprising a pair of shoulder straps, a rear surface and a front surface opposite the rear surface; and a clamp comprising: a base comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the base is secured to the front surface of the backpack; and a cover comprising an inner edge pivotally connected to the first side of the base and an outer edge comprising a latch releasably connected to the second side of the base.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing backpack straps comprises: wearing a backpack, wherein the backpack comprises shoulder straps having end portions; providing a clamp comprising a base, a cover and a latch releasably attaching the base and the cover in a closed position; placing the end portions of the shoulder straps in between the base and the cover; and securing the base and the cover in the closed position via the latch.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a backpack clamp. The present invention contains the excess straps of a backpack to help keep them from dragging on the ground and getting stuck in doors. The clamp of the present invention may be made of a hard polymer, such as a hard plastic. Alternatively, the clamp may be made of metal. The clamp may include a hinge pivotally connecting a base to a cover. A latch may releasably secure a portion of the base and the cover together.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention includes a backpack 12. The backpack 12 includes a pair of shoulder straps, a rear surface and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The clamp 10 includes a base 18 disposed near the front surface of the backpack 12. The base 18 includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The clamp 10 further includes a cover 16. The cover 16 includes an inner edge having a pivotal connection 22 with the first side of the base 18. The cover 16 further includes an outer edge having a latch 24 that releasably connects to the second side of the base 18.

The backpack 12 of the present invention may be any bag having shoulder straps. The rear surface of the backpack 10 may face towards a user and the front surface may face away from the user when the backpack 10 is being worn. Therefore, the clamp 10 may be on the side facing away from the user. The shoulder straps of a backpack 12 may be secured to the rear surface and are typically adjustable. The end portions 14 hang below the backpack 12. Using the present invention, the user may secure the end portions 14 of the shoulder straps to the clamp 10 so that the end portions 14 of the shoulder straps no longer hang beyond the backpack 12.

The clamp 10 of the present invention includes an open position and a closed position. The open position may include the cover 16 pivoted away from the base 18 and the latch 24 disconnected from the second side of the base 18. A user may open the clamp 10 in preparation to secure the end portions 14 of the shoulder straps within the clamp 10. The end portions 14 of the shoulder straps may be placed on the base 18. The closed position includes the cover 16 pivoted towards the base 18 and the latch 24 releasably connected to the second side of the base 18. The end portions 14 of the shoulder straps may be sandwiched in between the base 18 and the cover 16 in the closed position.

The base 18 of the present invention may be in the form of a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface is attached to the backpack 12. In certain embodiments, the clamp 10 is separate from the backpack 12. The cover 16 may also be in the form of a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the cover 16 may be rounded and the bottom surface may face the top surface of the base 18. As mentioned above, the inner edge of the cover 16 is pivotally connected to the first side of the base 18. The pivotal connection 22 may include a pivot pin secured within an opening formed through the base 18.

As mentioned above, the outer edge of the cover 16 may include a latch 24 releasably connected to the second side of the base 18. The latch 24 may include any mechanism that releasably connects the cover 16 to the base 18. In certain embodiments, the latch 24 may include a rounded male portion formed on the outer edge of the cover 16. A female socket 26 may be formed on the second side of the base. The female socket 26 is sized to receive and retain the rounded male portion within. Therefore, the user may snap the rounded male portion within the female socket 26 in the closed position.

In certain embodiments, a space 20 may be formed in between the cover 16 and the base 18 in the closed position. The space 20 may be sized to fit the end portion 14 of the shoulder straps within. In certain embodiments, the space 20 may be sized to secure two end portions 14 of the shoulder straps within. The space 20 may snuggly fit the end portions 14 so that the end portions 14 stay in position within the clamp 10, and thereby do not slide out.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a backpack comprising a pair of shoulder straps, a rear surface and a front surface opposite the rear surface; and a clamp comprising: a base comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the base is disposed at the front surface of the backpack; and a cover comprising an inner edge pivotally connected to the first side of the base and an outer edge comprising a latch releasably connected to the second side of the base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position comprises the cover pivoted away from the base and the latch disconnected from the second side of the base, and the closed position comprises the cover pivoted towards the base and the latch releasably connected to the second side of the base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch comprises a rounded male portion and the second side of the base comprises a female socket sized to receive and retain the rounded male portion within.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a space is formed in between the base and the cover, wherein the space is sized to snuggly retain at least one strap within.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the space is sized to snuggly retain two straps within.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one strap is an end portion of one of the shoulder straps.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear surface faces towards a user and the front surface faces away from the user when the backpack is worn.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the shoulder straps extend from the rear surface of the backpack.
 9. A method of securing backpack straps comprising: wearing a backpack, wherein the backpack comprises shoulder straps having end portions; providing a clamp comprising a base, a cover and a latch releasably attaching the base and the cover in a closed position; placing the end portions of the shoulder straps in between the base and the cover; and securing the base and the cover in the closed position via the latch.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base and the cover are pivotally attached to one another. 